Description (Taken from Goodreads)The hero, Zan-Gah seeks his lost twin in a savage prehistoric world, encountering suffering, captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people. Themes: survival, cultures, gender roles, psychological trauma, nature's wonders and terrors.

Zan is on the hunt for a lion. The animal attacked and killed a young girl and his clan, along with rival clans, drop their qualms with one another to dispose of the beast. When Zan single-handedly slays the animal, he is honored and revered. In his heart though, he is alone. Zan’s twin brother, Dael, disappeared a year ago and after Zan’s triumph over the lion, he sets off to triumph over the unknown land and bring his brother home. The only problem is that Zan meets many enemies and obstacles along the way. Can he find Dael and bring him home? More importantly, will Dael even want to come home?

Allan Richard Shickman has done something entirely unique in the YA community with Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure. The story takes place during a time that is impossible to fully imagine, but Shickman brings it to life with such vivid takes this unknown landscape and this unknown world and brings it to life. It is truly a one of a kind book. Shickman’s writing brings about a thrilling, at times fearful tension that builds and builds.

And their voices, combining with the percussion of their rude instruments, wrought a pitch of noise so fearful that it reached into Zan’s very entrails and bewitched the hairs on his head. ~ pg. 12

The primitive nature of Zan’s people is beyond interesting and makes for an fast-paced and exciting novel.

Zan’s story is not only entertaining, but it is absorbing. Zan’s journey to rescue is brother is based around his devotion and love to Dael. The emotion behind Zan’s entire journey never wavers and it will resonate with each and every reader. Shickman’s writing provokes such a beautiful and sometimes barren image that you will feel like you are there with Zan each step of the way.

This is story that readers both young and old will enjoy. There’s plenty of action and adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat, but the emotion in the story is also evident throughout. By the novels end, you will love Zan-Gah, you will respect him, and you will long to join him on other adventures.

Opening line:From a long distance a traveler, or some wild thing, might see within the deep and absolute blackness of night an intense orange light which looked from afar like a glowing coal. ~ pg. 3

Favorite line:It was plain to see that the landscape of Dael’s soul was charred; the wind had blown a fire through and everything living had been burnt to blackness. ~ pg. 109

*While this book was provided to me by Earthshaker book, this review is my honest opinion and I received no monetary compensation from it.